Cricket Cricket

'Tu Australia hi hai na' - Fans react as Australia face second consecutive defeat in ODI World Cup 2023, lose to South Africa by 134 run

It has happened after 31 years since the 1992 World Cup when five-time Champion, Australia lost their first two matches successively in an ODI World Cup.

author-image
Mathew K
New Update
South Africa vs Australia (File Photo, Twitter)

South Africa vs Australia (File Photo, Twitter)

Australia faced a crushing defeat of 134 runs against South Africa in their second match of the ongoing ODI World Cup 2023. Both teams played this match at the BRABVE Ekana Stadium in Lucknow on Thursday. Aussie skipper Pat Cummins won the toss and asked South Africa to bat first.

Batting first, the Proteas posted a big total of 311 runs for the loss of seven wickets in the allotted 50 overs on the slower surface of Ekana. Star opener and wicketkeeper-batter Quinton de Kock smashed a blistering century, scoring 109 runs off just 106 balls, with 8 fours and 5 sixes. Following him, the veteran middle order batter Aiden Markram also scored a half-century of 56 runs, with 7 fours and a six.

Glenn Maxwell and Mitchell Starc scalped two wickets each, alongside one wicket each picked by Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins, and Adam Zampa. Apart from that, the five-time World Champions, Australia also displayed a very poor performance in fielding, dropping a lot of catches and giving lives to the Proteas batters.

Bowlers take South Africa to the top of the table

While chasing the target, Australians completely surrendered against the South African bowling attack and got bundled out on a total score of only 177 runs in 40.5 overs. Kagiso Rabada ended up being the leading wicket-taker for South Africa, claiming 3 wickets followed by two wickets each picked by Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj and Tabraiz Shamsi. Apart from that, Lungi Ngidi also bagged one scalp. Eventually, South Africa won the match by a massive margin of 134 runs, improving their net run rate and taking them to the top of the table.

Quinton de Kock won the ‘Player of the Match award for his match-defining knock of 109 runs, alongside his two catches behind the stumps in the second innings. Now, the five-time World Cup champions, Australia are in the ninth spot of the points table of the tournament.

Here’s how fans reacted to South Africa’s massive win over Australia:

 

ODI World Cup 2023 Featured Australia Australia vs South Africa